yes Kicka, that's true.

there's other options as well... my very first was a little Rascal scooter, with a basket, got it for $500 through a classified ad, for shopping (this was before the stores in my rural area started to get scooters, back in the early 90s)

I needed help disassembling it, and hefting it into the car trunk, so I couldn't use it when I went out alone. (and I didn't have the money for a trunk lift at the time, and my insurance would only pay for that if I was TOTALLY disabled, not partially, or only needing the chair part-time.)

then, there's the "lending closets" at many local MS chapters, and disability groups, they often have waiting lists, but it's always worth trying for durable medical equipment, like shower chairs, and portable commodes - which we needed for my mom after she had a stroke.

that's where I got a collapsible stroller-type chair (a godsend in places like airports and malls!), from the local MS chapter.

later, I got a "regular" manual chair, and when my arms got too weak (for a while) to roll myself, I finally graduated to the powerchair.

oddly enough, after going through ALL the hassle to bring that powerchair to a foreign country, I haven't needed it once, in the last four years.



Frank, believe me, I understand all the conflicting thoughts and emotions over this, as an independent strong woman, it was a huge issue for me.

but I did it in little steps, and now have finally come to some sort of acceptance that I cannot predict, cannot know, and cannot even guess what will come next, so I just have to let GO of worrying, because it won't change a thing.

and I'm working on it still, dear!